Dictionary of Bible Themes The fulfilment of God's purposes of salvation expressed in the covenants of the OT, mediated by Jesus Christ and sealed in his blood. It is a covenant of grace, the benefits of which include forgiveness, a renewed relationship with God and, through the Holy Spirit, an inward transformation that enables obedience to its demands and so ensures that it will not again be broken. See also Hebrews 8:8The "new" covenant is contrasted with the covenant made at Sinai which is sometimes referred to as the "old" or "first" covenant. Isaiah 54:9-10The new covenant fulfils the OT covenants Hosea 2:18God's covenant with Noah Luke 1:72-73Acts 3:25-26 God's covenant with Abraham Galatians 3:14-16Ezekiel 16:60,62; 20:37 God's covenant at Sinai Isaiah 55:3Ezekiel 34:24-26; 37:25-26 God's covenant with David Luke 1:69Malachi 3:1 Jesus Christ, the mediator of the new covenant See also The new covenant fulfilled in the Messiah Isaiah 42:6; 49:8Hebrews 9:15 See also The new covenant effected through Jesus Christ's death Hebrews 9:16-17Luke 22:20 The new covenant sealed in Jesus Christ's blood See also pp Mt 26:28 Exodus 24:8pp Mk 14:24 John 6:541 Corinthians 10:16; 11:25 Blood was an important element in sealing the Sinaitic covenant Hebrews 10:292 Corinthians 3:6,18 The ministry of the Holy Spirit See also Isaiah 59:21Ezekiel 36:26-27 Romans 8:2-4 2 Corinthians 3:8 Hebrews 12:24 The superior blessings of the new covenant God's grace and mercy Hebrews 8:12The blood of Abel cried out to God for justice and retribution; the blood of Jesus Christ, shed to seal the new covenant, cries out for mercy and forgiveness. See also A complete forgiveness Jeremiah 31:34Romans 11:27 Hebrews 10:17 2 Corinthians 3:9 Galatians 3:13-14 Release from the law's condemnation Jeremiah 31:32-33An inward enabling to obey God's laws See also Jeremiah 32:38-40The old covenant was broken because its demands were not met. Under the new covenant the requirements of obedience are not abolished, but in writing his laws on human hearts, God gives the ability to meet the covenant demands. Ezekiel 11:19-202 Corinthians 3:3 Hebrews 8:9-10; 9:14; 10:16 Hebrews 8:11 See also A new knowledge of God Jeremiah 31:342 Corinthians 3:15-16 Ezekiel 37:26-27 A renewed relationship with God See also Jeremiah 24:7; 31:1"peace" refers to spiritual and material well-being; real peace is possible only for those in a right relationship with God. The formula "I will be their God, and they will be my people" is associated also with the Abrahamic and especially the Sinaitic covenants. Ezekiel 34:30-31Hosea 2:19-23 Hebrews 8:6 See also A superior priesthood Hebrews 7:22; 9:24-25Hebrews 9:14 See also A superior sacrifice Hebrews 9:20-23,26-28; 10:4,8-14Isaiah 61:8 2 Corinthians 3:11 A lasting covenant See also Jeremiah 50:5Hebrews 8:7,13; 13:20 See also 2306 Christ, high priest2315 Christ as Lamb 2530 Christ, death of 3230 Holy Spirit & regeneration 3233 Holy Spirit & sanctification 5380 law and gospel 6652 forgiveness 6666 grace 6744 sanctification 7317 blood of Christ 7436 sacrifice, NT fulfilment 7933 Lord's Supper |
    |